Shudan Guan

Confucius once told his students, “When I’m teaching, I won’t entail the truth to students until they are drawn crazily by thinking of it; nor would I help until they desperately want to express themselves. If my students cannot infer the other three bearings of a wall when I point out one bearing, I’ll stop teaching them.” [Annotation] 反: Infer. [Definition] Refer to the skill of making analogies in learning. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

In the East Jin period, Fu Jian, the King of Qian Qin, led a military with a million soldiers to attack the East Jin, whereas the East Jin only had eighty thousand soldiers. Xie An, the general of the East Jin, came up with an idea. Firstly, he asked people to spread rumours that the army of the East Jin had shortages of supplies and soldiers. After knowing that, Fu Jian judged that his enemy may escape, so he picked eight thousand outstanding soldiers and headed to the headquarters of the East Jin. Meanwhile, the remaining troops suffered a surprise attack from Xie An, causing 15,000 casualties. Fu Jian was shocked when he heard the news, so he decided to return. When Fu Jian reached a river, he saw many military ships with soldiers guarding, as he looked further at the Ba Gong Mountain, grasses and trees were blown by the wind, which seemed like soldiers in training. Fu Jian said terrifyingly, “Who said the East Jin had no soldiers? It’s a strong army!” [Annotation] 皆: All. [Definition] Refers to people making wrong judgements/losing their minds when they are in a panic. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

Bao Shuya and Guan Zhong have been close friends since their youth. Bao Shuya understood Guan Zhong’s intelligence very well and supported him unconditionally. When they were doing business together, Guan Zhong always gained more interest despite Bao Shuya providing most of the funding, which Bao Shuya explained was because Guan Zhong needed to take care of his old mother. During their time serving the State Qi, Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya worked for two heirs of the state separately, and Guan Zhong had attempted to assassin Xiao Bai the heir that Bao Shuya was serving. However, Guan Zhong didn’t succeed, and Xiao Bai finally hired the state. When Xiao Bai wanted to execute Guan Zhong, Bao Shuya argued that Guan Zhong was a wise man and recommended him to be the prime minister. Guan Zhong conducted a series of revolutions in State Qi after he became the prime minister. Later in his life, Guan Zhong always felt graceful about having Bao Shuya as his friend. [Annotation] 管: Guan Zhong. 鲍: Bao Shuya. [Definition] Refers to a true and solid friendship between two people.

Lu Ban was an exceptional craftsman who was famous for sharpening wooden handicrafts with axes. A poet in the Ming Dynasty judged people who wrote poems near one of the greatest poets, Li Po’s gravestone as “Showing off his ability to use axes in front of Lu Ban’s house”. [Annotation] 班: Lu Ban. [Definition] Showing off one’s knowledge/skill to experts in this field. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

Lao Zi, one of the great ancient philosophers in China proposed a utopia in his opinion: a small country with a small population, where people don’t need to travel far on carriages or ships; there’s no war so people need not sacrifice themselves; people work on the field they like, lives comfortably, happily, and safely. This country is close to neighbouring countries but does not interact with them. [Annotation] 安居: Live safely and comfortably. 乐业: Work happily. [Definition] Refers to a condition that people all live safely and comfortably, working in the field they like. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

In the late East Han Dynasty, Liu Bei was searching for a statesman who could help him establish his country. He heard that Zhu Geliang in Wolonggang was wise, so he paid a visit, aiming to recruit Zhu Geliang. However, Liu Bei was told that Zhu Geliang wasn’t home in the first two times of his visit to Zhu Geliang’s thatched house, and in the third time, Zhu Geliang was sleeping. Liu Bei waited outside his room for half a day. Zhu Geliang was touched by his persistence and agreed to help him. With the help of Zhu Geliang, Liubei established the Kindom of Shu. [Definition] 顾: Visit. 茅庐: A thatched house. [Annotation] It means to invite someone with great sincerity. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

Once upon a time, there was an old man in the frontier fort called Sai Weng. Sai Weng lost a horse one day, and people all came to comfort him, yet he said: “It’s not necessarily a bad thing.” Later, the horse brought back another good horse. People were all happy for him, but he said: “It might not be a good thing.” One day, his son fell on the ground when riding that good horse, he said to people, “Perhaps it’s a good thing.” Later a war occurred, yet Sai Weng’s son wasn’t selected by the army because of his disability, and he lived through the war. [Annotation] 塞: Frontier fort. 翁: Old man. [Definition] The old man lost his horse, but it turned out for the best. How does he know whether it is a fortitude or not? * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

In his last words, Cao Cao wrote to his children, “My wives are hard-working and diligent, buried them in Tongquetai after their death, placing six-feet beds in the middle of it and put hangings around the beds. Serve them food every day and night; give performances on every first and the fifth day of the month. You should visit Tongquetai from time to time and watch my graveyard in Xiling. Use not the remaining of my incenses for ceremonies, keep them to my wives. My wives can learn to make shoes and cloth belts in their spare time for making a living.” [Annotation]香: Incense. 履: Shoes. [Definition] Refers to someone who still considers his family in his last moment. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

There was a scholar named Sun Shan in the Song Dynasty, he attended Keju with the son of his county-man, and he was selected although he was the last one on the list. After checking the result, Sun Shan returned home happily. His county-man asked him, “Is my son selected?” He answered wittily, “Your son is behind Sun Shan!” [Definition] When someone isn’t selected or fails in an exam/competition. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

Once upon a time, there was a young man called Guo Han. One night during the midsummer, he was sitting under a tree. Suddenly, a goddess appeared from the sky. Guo Han discovered that the dress of the goddess had no woven lines, he asked with surprise, “Why does your dress have no woven lines?” The goddess said, “I’m wearing a heavenly dress, which isn’t woven by needle, how can it be woven lines?” [Definition] Refer to something perfect and flawless. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

In the Three States Period, General Lü Meng of State Wu was a master of war and made numerous battle achievements; however, he disliked reading. The King of Wu, Sun Quan, told him, “You should read more military books and historic books since you’re the general of the army.” Lü Meng answered, “I have no time.” Sun Quan said, “The emperor of East Han Dynasty always brings books with him to the battlefield, are you busier than him?” After that, Lü Meng began to study and became more knowledgeable. [Annotation] 释: Put down. 卷: Book. [Definition] Refers to someone who studies hard and diligently. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

Mu Cheng, a famous author in the West Han Dynasty, was good at writing articles. He opposed the King of Wu in treating his men during the time he worked as a strategist for State Wu. He warned King of Wu, “If you betray your people, it will be like tightening a 15,000-kilogram item on one string of hair on a deep cliff, if the hair breaks, the item will fall off the cliff, and you’ll never get it back.” The King of Wu didn’t listen to him and attacked the court with his army, yet he was killed by the imperial army at the end. [Annotation] 钧: A measured unit, one “钧” equals to 15 kg. [Definition] Refer to an extremely threatening or dangerous situation. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

After having Zhu Geliang to be his strategist, Liu Bei had a clearer awareness of the current situation of the country and the war. Some of his old subordinates were unhappy to see the close relationship between Liu Bei and Zhu Geliang. Liu Bei responded, “I have Zhu Geliang is like a fish is put into a lake, you should understand how important he is to me.” [Definition] It’s used when someone encounters people with the same interests or enters an environment that suits him. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

During the Spring and Autumn Period, the families of Ji Sun, Shu Sun, and Meng Sun owned the military power of State Lu. King Zhao of Lu attacked the family of Ji Sun in order to get back the power. The families of Shu Sun and Meng Sun supported Ji Sun immediately as they received the news. They corroborated well and won the battle, and King Zhao of Lu had to flee to State Qi. Since the king already lost his reputation, the public felt released to know him lost. [Annotation] 释: Release. 负: Burden. [Definition] Refers to the feeling of release. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

Once a wealthy man wanted to build a house for himself when he saw a three-floor house. He told the workers to build the third floor only. They said confusedly, “That’s ridiculous! How can we build the third floor without having the first and the second floors?” [Annotation] 空: In the air. 阁楼: Attic, house. [Definition] Refer to something unrealistic and impractical. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

During the Warring States Period, a man dropped his sword into the river when he was sitting in a boat, and he made a mark on the boat instantly. Another passenger on the boat asked him, “Why do you mark on the boat?” He answered, “My sword fell in this location, so I can find it by following the mark when the boat stops.” As the boat reached ashore, the man followed the mark to look for his sword in the river, but he could not find it. [Definition] Refers to someone who is stubborn, metaphysical, and doesn’t know how to solve a problem practically and realistically. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

The earth was chaos at the beginning, the sky and the land collapsed like an egg. A man called Pan Gu broke the eggshell. Those that were light and clear flew and formed the sky; those that were heavy fell to become the land. Pan Gu’s head supported the sky whilst his feet stepped on the ground, he grew taller as the sky lifted and the ground thickened. After eighteen thousand years, Pan Gu completed the task of splitting the earth. [Definition] It literally means to split the sky and the ground, and the meaning is extended to indicate an evolutionary event. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

Emperor Zhao of the Song Dynasty commanded his men to compile an encyclopaedia called Taiping Yujian, with a total word count of 4.78 million. The emperor decided to read three chapters every day. When the officials suggested the emperor stop reading and take a break, he answered, “All my fatigue disappears as I open and read this book.” [Annotation] 开卷: Open the book and read. [Definition] Reading is beneficial. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

During the Three Kingdom period, Sun Quan* lent the South County to Liu Bei* to defend against the invasion of Cao Cao*. However, Liu Bei refused to return to the county when Sun Quan wanted to take it back. Zhou Yu, the general of Sun Quan, planned to lock Liu Bei and force him to return to the county by inviting him to be the bridegroom of Sun Quan’s sister. Fortunately, Liu Bei came back home safely by following three instructions in the silk brocade bag Zhu Geliang* gave him. [Annotation] 1. 锦囊: A silk brocade bag that is used to seal official documents or poems. 2. Sun Quan: The founder of the Eastern Wu dynasty, one of the three kingdoms of China. 3. Liu Bei: A Chinese warlord in the late Eastern Han dynasty who later became the founding emperor of Shu Han, one of the Three Kingdoms of China. 4. Cao Cao: A Chinese statesman, warlord, and poet who rose to power towards the end of the Eastern Han dynasty (c. 184–220) and became the effective head of the Han central government during that period. He later became the founder of the state Wei, one of the three kingdoms of China. 5. Zhu Geliang: A Chinese statesman, strategist, and engineer who lived through the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty and the early to mid-Three Kingdoms period of China, he served Liu Bei at that time. [Definition] It refers to helpful instructions/advice that are put in a silk brocade and can be used in an emergency. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

During the Spring and Autumn period, the hegemony of Qin and the hegemony of Jin decided to fight the hegemony of Zheng, so the king of Zheng was anxious. Someone told him a man called Zhu Zhiwu could persuade the king of Qin to retreat his army, and the king called Zhu Zhiwu immediately. Zhu Zhiwu answered, “I didn’t have this ability when I was young, it’s clear that I don’t have it now.” [Definition] When someone is unable to finish a task/solve a problem. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

The imperial army of Han was enclosed by the Xiongnu when fighting the Cheshi State. The general thought the Xiongnu was defeasible when he received the news. However, the prime minister thought only people who had inflated egos would show off their ability to gain a sense of superiority, and they were doomed to fail. The emperor took his suggestion and commanded him not to fight. [Definition] A pride army will ultimately lose. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

In the Tang Dynasty, Liu Zongyuan tried to persuade a snake hunter to farm. The snake hunter replied, “There will be countless taxes for farming and the officials will force me toughly to pay, even poultry and dogs cannot get peace! Snake hunting is much better than farming although it’s dangerous.” Liu Zongyuan signed and said, “A government that exploits its people is crueller than a tiger.” [Annotation] 宁: Peace. [Definition] When (someone) is intensively disrupted or brothered. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

Once, a poor scholar met a Daoshi, who gave him a pillow and said, “You will live the life you want if you sleep on this pillow.” When the scholar back to the hostel, the chef was cooking with foxtail millet. The scholar fell asleep and had a dream. He got a high position and became wealthy; he woke up when he reached the moment of death. He saw the Daoshi standing in front of his bed, and the grain rice wasn’t ready. It turned out that the decades of luxury life were as ephemeral as a dream. [Annotation] Daoshi: A Daoist clergyman. 黄粱: Foxtail millets, here means rice made of foxtail millets. [Definition] (Of something) Empty and fictional. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

During the Southern Tang period, an official called Wang Lu was highly corrupted. People wrote to bring a lawsuit against one of his subordinates, yet every crime in the letter was relational to him. Wang Lu, in great panic, wrote down his true thoughts when judging the letter: “Although you are hitting the bush, the snake is scared and came out.” [Definition] It means someone hits the grass but scares the snake, and it is extended to mean others notice your crimes/misbehaviours. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com

During the Spring and Autumn Period, a farmer saw a hare hit a tree trunk and died, he picked it up and cooked at night. Afterwards, he did nothing but wait under that tree for another hare to come. However, no hares appeared since then and people all made fun of him. [Annotation] 株: Trunk of a tree. [Definition] When (someone) wishes to succeed without making any effort. * If you are interested in Chinese folk tales or ghost stories, have a look at: https://chinesestoriesfolktales.quora.com